COVID-19 related information
Portland Parks & Recreation’s primary goal is to keep our community healthy and protect the public from the spread of COVID-19. We continue to follow guidance from public health authorities and elected officials. PP&R programming has been designed to meet public health guidance and to be flexible as conditions change.
View COVID-19 safety guidelines, closures, and postponements
Inclement Weather Policy and Closures
PP&R classes, activities, rentals, and sports events may be canceled due to inclement weather, such as ice, snow, or extreme heat. Call 503-823-2533 or visit portland.gov/parks/closures for the most current information. Some recreation programs may run as conditions and staff availability allow. Safety is a major factor in determining operations at each PP&R facility. PP&R facilities, our social media outlets, and our website will all feature operating information including opening and closing times.
Discount Options
Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) believes recreation is for everyone and recognizes that cost can be a barrier to participation. With resources from the Parks Local Option Levy (Parks Levy), we can offer new payment options for City of Portland residents that allow you to choose payment levels based on your needs.
Learn about Pay What You Can and Access Discounts
Sign Up for Activities
- Summer activities, including day camps, are viewable online.
- Sign up today for activities that take place through August 28
View and register for activities online
Learn more about PP&R's summer camp program.
Drop-In Activities
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
3:30–5:00pm—Youth/Teen Open Gym (age 20 and younger, FREE)
Portland Parks Preschool
Now enrolling for the 2022-2023 school year. Virtual and discount options are available. View schedules and learn more about Portland Parks Preschool at portland.gov/parks/preschool.
SOAR (Afterschool Program)
Student Oriented Afterschool Recreation
A school year program serving grades K-5 from Astor, James John, and Sitton Eliot Elementary Schools. We provide transportation from school to our center.
An enriching environment with entertaining and challenging activities that enhance children's development and promotes self-esteem. Relish opportunities such as homework help, sports and games, social interaction, arts and crafts, education, and time making new friends. The place to be! SOAR does not operate on Portland Public School non-school days.
- For more information, please call 503-823-3192.
- To secure a space in our program, a $40 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of registration. If this is a barrier to participation, the deposit can be collected at a later date upon request.
St. Johns Community Center Roof and HVAC Replacement
Thanks to funding from the Parks Replacement Bond, St. Johns Community Center received a roof replacement and a replacement HVAC system to improve heating and cooling. The heating/cooling (HVAC) system installation work was completed in 2017. The building's roof was replaced in summer 2018.
Project Schedule
Fall 2015 - Winter 2015/16
Design Development
Winter 2016/17 - Spring 2017
Permitting and Bidding
Summer 2017 - Fall 2017
Construction for HVAC system
Spring 2018 - Summer 2018
Roof replacement
Built in 1940, this center was originally part of a recreation complex that served the large number of workers in the Kaiser shipyards during World War II. When the war was over, the pre-fabricated building was dismantled and moved on flatbed trucks, piece by piece, to its current location. This new home was two blocks from the center of downtown St. Johns, at the edge of a large cherry and prune orchard. Some of the old fruit trees still stand on the center's grounds.
In 1998-99, a number of improvements were made using funds from 1994 General Obligation Bond. In 2018, St. Johns Community Center received a roof and HVAC system replacement thanks to funds from the Parks Replacement Bond.